Mother of All Reunions

This is a highly controversial subject, as every class believes that its reunion was the best.

However, having been a helper for many reunions, the one organised by the 59ers in November 2009 took the cake.

Largest turnout ever for the Founders' Day Service
by a 50th Year Reunion Group.

For that we can thank many people, those who hosted the events, those who turned up in great numbers, the spouses of the participants who took part as if they were also part of the crowd and not just there because they needed to be, the variety of the events, the absolutely breathtaking backdrops to many of the events, the depth of feeling for those who were not there, the mementos and publications that were developed for the reunion, etc.,.


Girls from 1959 who took part in their 50th Year Reunion.


Boys from 1959 (most) who took part in their 50th Year Reunion.

On all fronts, the 59ers have set standards which any other year will have a hard time to reach.

This is not a competition, but it is the atmosphere that is created and achieved which is what is important.

The 59ers spent almost 5 years discussing and planning what their reunion should be like. They held mini-reunions and discussions online on their own Google Group set up to reach every 59er. People saved up for two years to be able to take part in the event. Teachers flew in from Toronto and London to take part.

Imagine your Class Teacher of 50 years ago flying in to take part in this event!

The atmosphere build up was electric, and there was no let down at the event, as it was all it was billed as.

For this one had to have a strong leader who held the group together.

We were faced with Cyclone warnings which ground Mumbai to a standstill. Government offices and schools closed. But, the 59ers carried on regardless. There were dire warnings of choppy seas when we were to be bound for Alibaug by ferry, but the 59ers went on regardless.

The Mumbai organisers certainly deverve a tremendous amount of credit for making sure everything was perfect. Annikki and I dropped in from Finland, and thanks to the tremendous back up advice and support by all the localites, the event that we hosted was just wonderful.

In all this there is one person who stood out as "Our Captain".



Vijay and his first mate, Suchita.

That is Vijay Shivdasani, who, like the ships he has sailed on, held us altogether and drove us to a most amazing reunion which has touched the hearts of all us 59ers and many more. the taste still lingers on today, 7000 km away and 2 months after the event.

I draw special emphasis today on his sterling leadership because he celebrates his birthday. I can think of no more an appropriate forum than this Seventh Heaven Blog for publicly wishing him on his birthday and thanking him for all that he has done for us 59ers.

Hip Hip Hurrah - and have a great birthday, Vijay (Shivi to many of us).